Title: Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt
Rated: 3 STARS out of 5
Read from February 8th to March 1st 2013
SPOILERS
In this striking literary debut, Carol Rifka Brunt unfolds a moving story of love, grief, and renewal as two lonely people become the unlikeliest of friends and find that sometimes you don’t know you’ve lost someone until you’ve found
them.
1987. There’s only one person who has ever truly understood fourteen-year-old June Elbus, and that’s her uncle, the renowned painter Finn Weiss. Shy at school and distant from her older sister, June can only be herself in Finn’s company; he is her godfather, confidant, and best friend. So when he dies, far too young, of a mysterious illness her mother can barely speak about, June’s world is turned upside down. But Finn’s death brings a surprise acquaintance into June’s life—someone who will help her to heal, and to question what she thinks she knows about Finn, her family, and even her own heart.
At Finn’s funeral, June notices a strange man lingering just beyond the crowd. A few days later, she receives a package in the mail. Insides a beautiful teapot she recognizes from Finn’s apartment, and a note from Toby, the stranger, asking for anopportunity to meet. As the two begin to spend time together, June realizes she’s not the only one who misses Finn, and if she can bring herself to trust this unexpected friend, he just might be the one she needs the most.
An emotionally charged coming-of-age novel, Tell the Wolves I’m Home is a tender story of love lost and found, an unforgettable
portrait of the way compassion can make us whole again.
-------------------------------
When I read the first chapter of Tell the Wolves I'm Home, these questions pop out of my head:
Is Finn gay? (Seriously, that was my first thought!)
Is there something off about Greta?
Why is there a bear on the cover when the title mentions wolves?
And.... what does the title mean?
Rated: 3 STARS out of 5
Read from February 8th to March 1st 2013
SPOILERS
In this striking literary debut, Carol Rifka Brunt unfolds a moving story of love, grief, and renewal as two lonely people become the unlikeliest of friends and find that sometimes you don’t know you’ve lost someone until you’ve found
them.
1987. There’s only one person who has ever truly understood fourteen-year-old June Elbus, and that’s her uncle, the renowned painter Finn Weiss. Shy at school and distant from her older sister, June can only be herself in Finn’s company; he is her godfather, confidant, and best friend. So when he dies, far too young, of a mysterious illness her mother can barely speak about, June’s world is turned upside down. But Finn’s death brings a surprise acquaintance into June’s life—someone who will help her to heal, and to question what she thinks she knows about Finn, her family, and even her own heart.
At Finn’s funeral, June notices a strange man lingering just beyond the crowd. A few days later, she receives a package in the mail. Insides a beautiful teapot she recognizes from Finn’s apartment, and a note from Toby, the stranger, asking for anopportunity to meet. As the two begin to spend time together, June realizes she’s not the only one who misses Finn, and if she can bring herself to trust this unexpected friend, he just might be the one she needs the most.
An emotionally charged coming-of-age novel, Tell the Wolves I’m Home is a tender story of love lost and found, an unforgettable
portrait of the way compassion can make us whole again.
-------------------------------
When I read the first chapter of Tell the Wolves I'm Home, these questions pop out of my head:
Is Finn gay? (Seriously, that was my first thought!)
Is there something off about Greta?
Why is there a bear on the cover when the title mentions wolves?
And.... what does the title mean?
I have no idea how people may feel about it, but I automatically thought Finn was gay when I started the book. To be honest, I really liked Finn. I thought he personality was unique by the way he acts and speaks; especially, how different he may seem to people. And his words was full with care. But this wasn't the reason I thought he was gay. Maybe, it's his personality. When I think of someone who is gay, I usually think of someonewho is gentle, quiet, and rational. Exact opposite of a male stereotype. I don't really think it's a bad thing, I'm glad that books are accpeting differences that were not the norms years ago :)
As for the other characters.... some I liked and some I didn't. June was a hard character for me to understand sometimes. I didn't judge her because of how she dresses or talk. She was quick to judge, and easily manipulated; especially from her sister. I mentally screamed at her to open her eyes or screamed at her when I wanted her to be nice or just to shut her up! And there was a point when I really hated her. I hate her for trying to make Toby uncomfortable and upset and treating him like trash in my opinion. Also, I hate that she tried to deny anything that Toby says about Finn and him and she denys that most of Toby's actions were from Finn, not the other way around like when Toby told June that he taught Finn how to make the origami napkin. However, slowly she begins to discover who she is and understand her flaws. She understands that she was jealous of Toby for having Finn and selfish for trying to have everything for herself. I liked her at the end, and I'm glad she learned to move on because of Toby.
.Toby was the only character that I wanted to cry for his sake. He was an innocent and damaged soul that dealt with the wrath of an jealous person. I really wanted him to be happy and wanted him to have his last moment wih Finn. I think that would have been something that he should had before Finn died. But was glad that at the end he was finally accepted at the end.
To be honest, Greta and their mother were not my favorite characters. My first opinion for Greta was she seemed angry; especially, towards her sister. Greta will continously get June in trouble and make her feel horrible until June have these terrible thoughts about herself. This would be my main reason I hated her because my sister would do the same as Greta would do. However, Greta would sometimes show a sweet part of herself and I knew she was hiding something. And her bi-polar actions of making June upset and desperately trying to create the old memories was making me pity Greta , Like June, I'm glad she turned out better and admitted her deep feelings. Also, I'm glad they became close again like they were before.Their mother remind me of Greta. (Maybe that's why I didn't liked them). Ever since, I found out that she made Finn pick a choice to either spend time with his nieces but Toby can not be involve or have no contact with them; I was appalled. I couldn't believe that she gave a difficult choice (and a choice that couldn't be changed) and it basically ruined Finn, Toby, and the family. I didn't really care that much that she suddenly changed and decided to accept Toby because it felt fast and fake. I wish she would had became better, but I guess that's why I thought she was an antagnoist in this story
.Also, (I dont know if anyone like symbolism) when I was reading the last pages, I notice Ben was talking to June about the wolves in the woods (that June thought exist and Ben didn't believe her, but wanted to find out himself) and he told her tat they were just feral dogs. The thing that got me thinking was when Ben mentions:
As for the other characters.... some I liked and some I didn't. June was a hard character for me to understand sometimes. I didn't judge her because of how she dresses or talk. She was quick to judge, and easily manipulated; especially from her sister. I mentally screamed at her to open her eyes or screamed at her when I wanted her to be nice or just to shut her up! And there was a point when I really hated her. I hate her for trying to make Toby uncomfortable and upset and treating him like trash in my opinion. Also, I hate that she tried to deny anything that Toby says about Finn and him and she denys that most of Toby's actions were from Finn, not the other way around like when Toby told June that he taught Finn how to make the origami napkin. However, slowly she begins to discover who she is and understand her flaws. She understands that she was jealous of Toby for having Finn and selfish for trying to have everything for herself. I liked her at the end, and I'm glad she learned to move on because of Toby.
.Toby was the only character that I wanted to cry for his sake. He was an innocent and damaged soul that dealt with the wrath of an jealous person. I really wanted him to be happy and wanted him to have his last moment wih Finn. I think that would have been something that he should had before Finn died. But was glad that at the end he was finally accepted at the end.
To be honest, Greta and their mother were not my favorite characters. My first opinion for Greta was she seemed angry; especially, towards her sister. Greta will continously get June in trouble and make her feel horrible until June have these terrible thoughts about herself. This would be my main reason I hated her because my sister would do the same as Greta would do. However, Greta would sometimes show a sweet part of herself and I knew she was hiding something. And her bi-polar actions of making June upset and desperately trying to create the old memories was making me pity Greta , Like June, I'm glad she turned out better and admitted her deep feelings. Also, I'm glad they became close again like they were before.Their mother remind me of Greta. (Maybe that's why I didn't liked them). Ever since, I found out that she made Finn pick a choice to either spend time with his nieces but Toby can not be involve or have no contact with them; I was appalled. I couldn't believe that she gave a difficult choice (and a choice that couldn't be changed) and it basically ruined Finn, Toby, and the family. I didn't really care that much that she suddenly changed and decided to accept Toby because it felt fast and fake. I wish she would had became better, but I guess that's why I thought she was an antagnoist in this story
.Also, (I dont know if anyone like symbolism) when I was reading the last pages, I notice Ben was talking to June about the wolves in the woods (that June thought exist and Ben didn't believe her, but wanted to find out himself) and he told her tat they were just feral dogs. The thing that got me thinking was when Ben mentions:
"(Ben) - Some people complained about dogs getting into their garbage cans, and when the animal patrol came and saw what what going on out there, they shot them. All of them. You're lucky you were never attacked out there.
(June) * But why were they shot?
-Because they're feral dogs. Hello in there. Didn't you hear me? Dangerous things. Filthy, diseased, wild... What should they do, rehome them as gentle household pet?
*How about leaving them alone?
-Consider yourself lucky. That's all I have to say.
*I don't. I don't consider myself lucky at all, because there was nothing to be afraid of in the first place" (Brunt 324).
In my opinion, if you could switch the words 'wolves' to 'AIDS' it would make sense because it was a deadly disease in the book and no one wanted to catch it. And if they did have it, it was a terrible fate worse than death. And I remember in the beginning of the book, June was terrified to get it as well, but she accepts it like anyone should be, diseased or not. And this statement at the end "there was nothing to be afraid of in the first place" proved that society made people scared of something that happens. It doesn't make a person different by not fitting to our norms. And this prove me that Finn and Toby were not depressed because they had it. They accepted it and challenged it until their last breath.
Overall, I thought this novel was good. I wished I could have gave it more stars, but it took me a while to read (which was my fault :/) and also I was angry mostly at the characters. So I don't think that help at all. -.-
Next book I'll review will be: ROMEOXJULIET (the omnibus) it will be in the anime section.
Overall, I thought this novel was good. I wished I could have gave it more stars, but it took me a while to read (which was my fault :/) and also I was angry mostly at the characters. So I don't think that help at all. -.-
Next book I'll review will be: ROMEOXJULIET (the omnibus) it will be in the anime section.
However, I would highly recommend readers to read this novel. And if anyone would want to read something relatable to this, I would recommend:
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. (The link below)
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. (The link below)
RSS Feed